# Why is it so hard to find fusilli? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [November 6, 2017, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-so-hard-to-find-fusilli/800885 "2017-11-06T14:10:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Shoeless](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shoeless/32/7099_2.png) [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2017, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-so-hard-to-find-fusilli/800885/1 "2017-11-06T14:10:59Z")
There is a pasta dish I make every once in a while that calls for fusilli pasta. When I first started making it I never had trouble finding fusilli at the store, but lately it’s been nearly impossible to find any. Some folks may ask “Why not use rotini?” In my opinion, it’s not the same thing. Fusilli is a thicker pasta where the corkscrew shape is not so tight. Rotini, like what I would use to make pasta salad, is thinner and has a much tighter spiral. [This](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fusilli#/media/File:Fusilli_pasta.jpg) is what I think of as fusilli and [this](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rotini#/media/File:Rotini.jpg) is what I think of as rotini. However it should be noted that the fusilli photo says it is often referred to as rotini in the US and the fusilli page says it has been proposed to be merged with the rotini page. To make things even more confusing, when fusilli first disappeared from my regular grocery store, I found something called “tortiglione” which looked more like fusilli than rotini, and may be the same thing? Although I have also seen “tortiglione” that is more tube shaped rather than spiral. (Side note, we really need to get some ANSI standards for pasta names.) But my regular store has redone their pasta aisle and no longer carries the tortiglione either. So I went on a quest this weekend to find fusilli. I looked at two chain grocery stores, a locally-owned grocery store, Target, and one of those “natural foods” stores. Target has “gluten free” fusilli but no regular fusilli. I found something fusilli-looking at another store but it was labeled “rotini” (which I wound up buying). But nobody had anything actually labeled as “fusilli”. :mad: ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2017, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-so-hard-to-find-fusilli/800885/2 "2017-11-06T14:56:37Z")
Maybe it’s too easy (and painful) to fall butt-first onto fusilli? 😕 ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2017, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-so-hard-to-find-fusilli/800885/3 "2017-11-06T15:00:59Z")
Whole foods brand 365 pasta is actually one of the better store brand line of products they sell and it’s very inexpensive. They have [fusilli.](https://www.instacart.com/whole-foods/products/116686-365-organic-fusilli-pasta-16-oz) ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2017, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-so-hard-to-find-fusilli/800885/4 "2017-11-06T15:01:22Z")
[Amazon.](https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=fusilli) Over a dozen brands and they deliver nearly overnight. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2017, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-so-hard-to-find-fusilli/800885/5 "2017-11-06T15:02:36Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Amazon. Which now owns Whole Foods, so win-win. ---
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2017, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-so-hard-to-find-fusilli/800885/6 "2017-11-06T15:15:31Z")
Try Google Express. For me their listings include that product from [target.com](http://target.com), [walmart.com](http://walmart.com), Whole Foods and a Chicago foodstore call Treasure Island. ---
**Author:** ![Shoeless](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shoeless/32/7099_2.png) [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2017, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-so-hard-to-find-fusilli/800885/7 "2017-11-06T15:57:58Z")
Funny, I checked Target but didn’t even think of going to Wal-Mart. Mostly because I avoid Wal-Mart like the plague. I guess I’ll have to give them a shot. Ordering pasta online just seems so unnecessary, but if that’s what it takes, maybe that’s what I need to do. ---
**Author:** ![wolfman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a8b319/32.png) [@wolfman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfman)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2017, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-so-hard-to-find-fusilli/800885/8 "2017-11-06T16:16:01Z")
Raditore is even harder to find at the store. So perfect at picking up a thinner sauce and holding it in the nooks and crannies. When I do find it I buy a half dozen or so boxes. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2017, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-so-hard-to-find-fusilli/800885/9 "2017-11-06T16:26:22Z")
> [@Shoeless](#): > > Ordering pasta online just seems so unnecessary, but if that’s what it takes, maybe that’s what I need to do. Just roll with it. It saves hassling Wal-Mart crowds and you can shop dozens of different brands and sizes without leaving home. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2017, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-so-hard-to-find-fusilli/800885/10 "2017-11-06T16:45:29Z")
For things like fusilli, I go to a little Italian market. There are pastas there I’ve never even heard of. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2017, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-so-hard-to-find-fusilli/800885/11 "2017-11-06T16:47:20Z")
True dat. But how many of those are there in WhereeverthehellShoelessis, Kansas? ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2017, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-so-hard-to-find-fusilli/800885/12 "2017-11-06T16:53:02Z")
> [@Shoeless](#): > > Funny, I checked Target but didn’t even think of going to Wal-Mart. Mostly because I avoid Wal-Mart like the plague. I guess I’ll have to give them a shot. > > Ordering pasta online just seems so unnecessary, but if that’s what it takes, maybe that’s what I need to do. I have a hard time finding frikkin’ _Ditalini_ at Walmart anymore! Shop online! ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2017, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-so-hard-to-find-fusilli/800885/13 "2017-11-06T16:54:57Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > True dat. But how many of those are there in WhereeverthehellShoelessis, Kansas? [There are Italians in Kentucky!](https://www.italiangenealogy.com/forum/italian-genealogy/11681) Seriously, I thought every small town had an Italian market. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2017, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-so-hard-to-find-fusilli/800885/14 "2017-11-06T17:24:06Z")
> [@wolfman](#): > > Raditore is even harder to find at the store. So perfect at picking up a thinner sauce and holding it in the nooks and crannies. When I do find it I buy a half dozen or so boxes. If I find radiatori in the store, I’ve been known to clear the shelf. ---
**Author:** ![Barkis\_is\_Willin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a183cd/32.png) [@Barkis\_is\_Willin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barkis_is_Willin)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2017, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-so-hard-to-find-fusilli/800885/15 "2017-11-06T17:57:44Z")
So I’m the only one whose knowledge of fusilli does not extend beyond Fusilli Jerry? ---
**Author:** ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2017, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-so-hard-to-find-fusilli/800885/16 "2017-11-06T18:42:14Z")
**Radiatori**. Yeah, I was gonna say, when you’re making a pasta salad radiatori is Da Bomb. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2017, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-so-hard-to-find-fusilli/800885/17 "2017-11-06T18:58:52Z")
I’m not entirely sure I’ve ever heard of or seen radiatori before, but they look like they’d work great with mac and cheese, too! ---
**Author:** ![Shoeless](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shoeless/32/7099_2.png) [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2017, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-so-hard-to-find-fusilli/800885/18 "2017-11-06T19:02:19Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > True dat. But how many of those are there in WhereeverthehellShoelessis, Kansas? What I need to do is wait until I am back in the St Louis area visiting family, and load up then. Plenty of Italians in St Louis. ---
**Author:** ![Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eyebrows_0f_doom/32/3119_2.png) [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eyebrows_0f_Doom)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2017, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-so-hard-to-find-fusilli/800885/19 "2017-11-06T19:50:10Z")
Trader Joe’s carries fusilli if you have one near you. 99 cents a bag. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2017, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-so-hard-to-find-fusilli/800885/20 "2017-11-06T20:01:22Z")
The only TJ’s in Kansas are in Kansas City, so… Just ordered a couple of bags of radiatori from Amazon. Never had it before, so I’m intrigued. So many possibilities. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-so-hard-to-find-fusilli/800885.md?page=2)